TLC Wins Against Jon Gosselin, Calls Him "Embarrassing"

Although Jon Gosselin wasn't present at a Maryland court Thursday, TLC, the network he's battling, was on hand to harshly criticize the one-time reality TV star. Representatives from TLC testified that the reality dad's recent behavior has been "embarrassing." Also revealed in court: by the end of Jon and Kate Plus Eight's run, TLC was paying the family $22,500 an episode, not the $75,000 per episode rate Gosselin has been telling the media.

The 32 year-old Gosselin's appearances at cheesy promotional events (like an August pool party in Las Vegas) "made the show look bad," TLC attorney Paul Gaffney says, according to Radaronline.

Sabin offered other examples of bad behavior: Gosselin's habit of signing autographs outside the family's Pennsylvania home; his lavish, photo-op filled trip to the south of France with then-girlfriend Hailey Glassman; talk of a "Hollywood Rebel" clothing line and another potential show, Divorced Dads Club, with Michael Lohan.

Sabin futilely reached out to Gosselin's manager. "It was a bit disconcerting, so we cried, 'Foul! Guys, foul!' -- you gotta get your guy in line."

When the frustrated network attempted to rename the show Kate Plus Eight to focus solely on wife Kate's struggles "as a single mother," Gosselin's legal team retaliated and successfully shut down production. "If the father of the children states an objection of the kids being filmed, we're gonna honor that," Sabin explained.

What moved TLC to finally sue Gosselin? "A series of last straws," Sabin said. "Notably taking money from entertainment programs where folks sit around and gossip about celebrities lives." Gosselin also violated confidentiality agreements when he chatted on air about his compensation for Jon and Kate Plus Eight.

TLC has won its preliminary injunction against the reality dad. A judge ruled that Gosselin must obey the court's order to comply with contractual obligations or risk going to jail.

This sets the stage for future battles to come, TLC notes. "We look forward to the next phase of the litigation, which is to pursue our claim for damages resulting from Mr. Gosselin's numerous breaches."